It’s “birthday season” in our house, which means my kids are buzzing with ideas about how to celebrate. Luckily, the STMA area has a huge variety of options when it comes to birthday party venues.

We’ve put together a list of 20+ great places to host your kid’s birthday party—whether you have an athlete or an artist, a nature lover or a ninja! All of these venues are within a 30-minute drive and are sorted loosely by distance from St. Michael-Albertville. (Prices listed are current as of April 2023.)

Space Aliens (Albertville)
Party guests at Space Aliens can enjoy a meal and one free game card. Packages start at $99 for 6 guests ($13 for each additional) and include an individual pizza for each partygoer, pop with free refills, ice cream, and a $5 game card per guest.
spacealiens.com/parties

The Selfie Company (Albertville)
Albertville’s newest hot spot is also available for private events! Parties can be booked any day of the week and cost $199 per hour for exclusive use of the studio and all of its photo sets and props.
https://www.theselfieco.com/private-events

Color City Pottery (Albertville)
Paint your own piece of pottery at Color City in Albertville Premium Outlets. Events in the party room cost $220 for 2 hours, which includes a $20 item for up to 10 painters and glazing and firing of the pieces after they are painted. (add $20 for each additional painter)
colorcitypottery.com

Claire’s (Albertville)
Also in the outlet mall, Claire’s parties are available for anywhere from 6 to 20 guests and can be themed to match your child’s interests. Prices vary, so contact the Albertville store for details.
claires.com/us/celebrate-parties.html

Town Center Park & Splash Pad (St. Michael)
St. Michael’s centerpiece park is also a great place to host a party. Shelter rental starts at $27/hour for residents or $38/hour for non-residents, and kids can enjoy the playground and/or splash pad depending on the time of year.
stmichaelmn.gov/towncenterpark

St. Michael Cinema (St. Michael)
Bring your friends to St. Michael Cinema for a movie-themed birthday party! Party packages start at $210 for 12 guests and include room rental, movie tickets, popcorn, and drinks with the option to add on pizza, cake pops, etc. at an additional cost.
For booking info, contact events@stmichaelcinema.com
stmichaelcinema.com/movie-theater/stmichael/rentals

STMA High School Activity Center (St. Michael)
Includes use of Activity Center courts for play and cafeteria for food for up to 10 children. Packages start at $100 and have the option to set up for various sports and add additional guests.
ce.stma.k12.mn.us/activity-center1/birthday-party-rentals

Wild Woods Water Park (Otsego)
Starting at $229, party packages include 10+ all-day water park wristbands and a reserved table for 2 hours where you can serve your own cake. (pizza & soda available for purchase)
hielkriver.com/waterpark/birthday-parties

Prairie Park & Splash Pad (Otsego)
Shelter reservations are $40 for a 2-hour time slot, and kids can enjoy the playground, splash pad, and skate park. You can even bring in your own inflatables if you give the city advance notice.
otsego.recdesk.com

River City Extreme (Monticello)
River City Extreme offers bowling, laser tag, and an arcade. A variety of party packages are offered for anywhere from 8–24 guests, and all include pizza and soft drinks. Costs start at $21/guest for bowling only and range up to $35/guest for all activities plus use of the party room.
tripleshift.com/river-city-extreme/birthday-parties

Monticello Community Center
Swimming pool birthday party packages include a 2 1/2-hour reservation in the decorated poolside party room and drinks for your guests. Rates start at $152, and optional items such as food or access to the climbing wall can be added on for an additional cost.
monticellocommunitycenter.com/birthday-party-packages.htm

Maple Grove Community Center
Parties at the MGCC provide 2 hours in a private party room that seats up to 24. The cost is $180 and includes 10 wristbands that give kids access to the pool, Maple Maze, and gym during open hours. Additional wristbands can be purchased for $10 each.
maplegrovemn.gov/766/Birthday-party-packages

Ninjas United (Maple Grove)
Ninja parties start at $240 and include time in the party room and on the obstacle course, as well as a free t-shirt for the birthday kid. You can also mix it up and try a Ninja + Nerf party for $400.
ninjasunited.com/parties

Sky Zone (Maple Grove)
Bounce your way into fun at this trampoline park and warrior course. All packages include a private party room with all supplies and a dedicated Sky Zone host. Prices range from $25 to $37 per jumper (minimum 10), with the option to include food or various party favors.
skyzone.com/maplegrove/parties

Playground Plaza (Maple Grove)
Rent a party room at Playground Plaza to enjoy the outdoor-park feel all year round! Rates start at $175 and include 2 hours in a party room plus 10 all-day admission passes for kids. Additional passes are $9/child.
playgroundplaza.com/partyrooms

MiniSota Play Cafe (Maple Grove)
Kids can enjoy MiniSota’s miniature world at either a private rental or a party hosted during open play. Party room rentals start at $175 for 2 hours and include play passes for 10 kids with the option to add additional guests. Private events start at $450 for exclusive use of the space by up to 20 children.
minisotaplaycafe.com/s/appointments

Snow Tubing at Elm Creek Park (Maple Grove)
Take your kids and their friends snow tubing on the hill at Elm Creek Park. Rates are $17/person for 2 hours of tubing, and guests can gather to warm up in the nearby chalet.
threeriversparks.org/page/elm-creek-winter-recreation-area-hours-and-rates

Eastman Nature Center (Dayton)
Three Rivers Parks offers “Wild Birthday Parties” year-round that are appropriate for children ages 4+. Nature-based topics range from pond insects to birds and snowshoeing to live animals. The cost is $175 for up to 15 children and 6 adults.
threeriversparks.org/page/wild-birthday-parties

Dehn’s Pumpkins (Dayton)
One of our favorite pumpkin patches also hosts birthday parties! Party rentals are available starting in mid-May through the end of October.
Packages start at $350 for 2.5 hours, which includes up to 10 kids, a designated table area, a bounce house, inflatable slide, and access to the corn pit. You may bring in your own food and beverages.
dehnspumpkins.com/event-rental

Imagination Play Park (Buffalo)
Let your little ones’ imaginations run wild at Buffalo’s indoor play park. Parties are available any day of the week (cost $249) and include private use of the entire play facility for 2 hours as well as table seating for up to 25 people, a snack, and plates. You may bring in your own food and even use the on-site refrigerator if needed.
imaginationplayparks.com/birthday-parties

Huikko’s Entertainment Center (Buffalo)
Mix and match bowling, arcade, and mini-golf to create a party that’s just right for you! All parties include a reserved space as well as pizza and soda. Packages start at $65 per lane (5 guests each) for bowling, $80 for 8-person mini-golf, or $130 for 5 kids in the arcade. Parties can also add on additional activities for a fee.
huikkosbowl.com/parties/kids-birthday-parties
huikkosbowl.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Birthday-Parties-2023-1.pdf

TopGolf (Brooklyn Center)
Take a swing at fun with a golfing party customized for either kids or teens. Packages for up to 12 guests cost $300 for kids / $450 for teens and include 2 hours of unlimited play plus an age-appropriate meal for each of your guests.
topgolf.com/us/minneapolis/plan-an-event/parties

Eagle Lake Mini-Golf (Plymouth)
Choose to play the 18-hole mini golf course or the birdie 9-hole pitch-and-putt course. Both courses are lighted for evening play. Parties cost $125 and include a 2-hour reservation of the Golfview Pavilion, where you can bring in your own food and treats.
threeriversparks.org/page/miniature-and-birdie-golf-parties

Plymouth K.U.B.E.
Birthday parties at Plymouth’s indoor playground are available on weekends only. They cost $190 and include 10 playground admissions and 2 hours of access to an adjacent party room with table seating for 24 guests. Additional playground passes may be purchased at a discounted rate on the day of the party. 
plymouthmn.gov/departments/parks-recreation/plymouth-community-center

Urban Air Adventure Park (Plymouth or Coon Rapids)
Two-hour parties start at $349 for 10 guests and include access to a variety of attractions as well as a reserved, decorated party table and a t-shirt for the birthday kid. You can also add on additional guests, order food, or book a private room that includes 2 pizzas.
urbanair.com/kids-birthday-parties

Grand Slam (Coon Rapids)
Grand Slam’s 3-hour birthday parties start at $19/guest and include a reserved table, pizza, drinks, and arcade card plus unlimited mini-golf, bumper cars, and either laser tag or the play zone. You can also add on time in the arcade and/or ninja course for an additional fee.
grandslamcoonrapids.com/birthdays

Cheap Skate (Coon Rapids)
Take your friends for a spin around the roller rink! Party packages include skates and your choice of pizza or hot dogs and start at $99 for 8 guests. You can also choose to add on additional guests, a glow party, bounce house access, or party favors.
cheapskatecr.com/kids-birthday-party

Anoka Aquatic Center (Anoka)
Make a splash at Anoka’s outdoor water park! Party packages start at just $100 for 10 kids, with the option to add on food for an additional cost. These parties do not include a reserved space, but table and umbrellas can be rented for an additional charge.
mn-anoka.civicplus.com/279/Parties-Rentals-and-Groups

Rum River Art Center (Anoka)
Your artist and his/her friends will create a themed project such as a painting or sculpture with the guidance of a trained artist. Party prices start at $175 for 12 participants and vary by the type of project being completed. All packages include 2 hours in a private event space, and you may bring in your own food.
rumriverart.com/about/book-an-event/art-birthday-parities

What other ideas do YOU have? Leave a comment below if you know of a great place we missed!